My day at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum was going very well since the complex was not very crowded, which gave me an excellent opportunity to linger a bit longer at those exhibits that really captured my interest. After the Governor Years display, I spent some time visiting the Victory and Inauguration gallery, In November of 1980, Reagan was elected President in a landslide win over Democratic incumbent Jimmy Carter. Americans decided that the country, driven by economic distress and international embarrassment, needed a big change and that Reagan's conservative, “government-is-the-problem" philosophy was worth a try. This gallery also celebrated the President’s first days in office when he sent Congress some of the most sweeping revisions of budget and tax policy ever attempted in the US. The cornerstones of his plan were an across-the-board tax cut and an effort to reduce the size and growth of the Federal Government. Reagan had argued for years that government was getting too powerful and intrusive and this was his chance to convert his rhetoric into action, and the exhibit explained that's exactly what he did.
Next, was the Assassination Attempt display. On Monday, March 30, 1981, just two short months into his Presidency, Reagan was leaving the Washington Hilton Hotel after delivering a luncheon speech to a labor group. One of the six bullets fired by John Hinckley, Jr., hit the side of Reagan’s limousine, then ricocheted and struck the President in the left underarm. The bullet hit his lung and was about one inch from striking his heart. After the shooting, Reagan was rushed to the hospital in his limousine. He was operated on to remove the bullet and during this entire process, he lost almost half his blood volume. The surgery was successful and President Reagan was able to resume his official duties within a month’s time.
After that somber gallery, it was a pleasure to take a look at a full-size replica of the Oval Office as it appeared during the Reagan Presidency. The Oval Office today is a symbol of the American presidency and its re-creation at the museum gave me a chance to ponder the power and responsibilities of the office. It was William Howard Taft, the 27th President of the United States, who in 1909 first moved the seat of power into what would become known as the Oval Office. Its basic shape and architecture have changed little since the 1930s. But, every president makes the space his own through changes in the interior design, both large and small, from new carpeting and drapery to favorite works of art.
An exhibit dedicated to the First Lady followed. With Reagan’s election, Nancy stepped into this full-time role and found herself immersed in the pressures and demands of the unelected and unpaid position. Overnight, she became the nation’s hostess, the White House social director, an international ambassador, and a model for wives, mothers, and women across the country. Nancy Reagan was also the President’s closest confidante and staunchest defender. She also took on special causes of her own, including her well-publicized campaign against drugs, “Just Say No.” A portion of this gallery was devoted to her elegant haute couture fashions, including numerous outfits ranging from her March 4, 1952 wedding dress to the skirt suit she wore to President Reagan's funeral in June of 2004. The exhibition included one-of-a-kind pieces designed by Geoffrey Beene, Bill Blass, Valentino, James Galanos, Carolina Herrera, Adolfo, Yves St. Laurent, Oscar de la Renta, Jean Louis and Chanel.
But, the best was yet to come. After a short walk down a rather nondescript corridor, I found myself on the second floor of the Air Force One Pavilion overlooking a majestic and beautiful Boeing 707 bearing the markings United States of America in a livery first established in 1962 by industrial designer Raymond Loewy for President John F. Kennedy. Known as SAM (Special Air Mission) 27000, it was accepted into the US Air Force on August 4, 1972 after 200 hours of testing. Richard Nixon was the first president to use the aircraft in February of 1973 flying from then Andrews Air Force Base to Chicago. It flew seven US presidents until its replacement in 1990 with the current Boeing 747s, SAM 28000 and SAM 29000. The Reagan Library received the jet is a decommissioning ceremony on September 8, 2001 at the San Bernardino International Airport. It was disassembled over a nine-week period by a nine-person crew from The Boeing Company into sections comprising the fuselage, tail and stabilizers, engines, main landing gear and wings. SAM 27000 was transported to the Library by truck on a specially-designed trailer crossing four freeways and traveling 104 miles. With only the roof and two and a half of the Pavilion walls constructed, SAM 27000 was towed inside on September 20, 2004. As the remaining walls were built around the aircraft, The Boeing Company reassembled the jet in ten weeks. After reassembly, SAM 27000 was hoisted onto its pedestals and secured by its landing gear. The final task of repainting and polishing the plane took five months and it was unveiled on September 23, 2005 and the pavilion opened to the public the following month. It’s a very impressive display and one which should be on every AvGeek’s bucket list.
Nestled nearly under the wings of Air Force One is the Ronald Regan Pub, an actual pub from Reagan’s ancestral home in Ballyporeen, Ireland ,that he visited during a diplomatic trip in the early 1980s. It was dismantled and shipped to the USA in 2004 to be featured as part of the museum’s collection. Unfortunately, the pub was closed during my visit since COVID-19 guidelines were still in effect, but I was able to grab a bite in Reagan’s Country Café next to the museum store. After lunch, I resumed my tour with a visit to the pavilion’s second-floor gallery concentrating on the Secret Service. Here I learned that after the Civil War, the Secret Service began as an agency charged with investigating counterfeit currency. Today, they are mandated by Congress to carry out dual missions: protection of national and visiting foreign leaders, and criminal investigations directed at safeguarding the nation’s financial infrastructure.
There were essentially three remaining exhibits. The first focused on the four summit meetings conducted with General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev of the Soviet Union, during which both sides attempted to strike a deal on the reduction of their respective nuclear arsenals. The next gallery was devoted to Reagan’s love of the outdoors, particularly Camp David and Rancho del Cielo. Camp David is a presidential retreat that was built during the Roosevelt Administration that allows for seclusion while still having quick access to the White House. Rancho del Cielo was the 688-acre ranch located atop the Santa Ynez Mountain Range northwest of Santa Barbara, California, that was known as the Western White House during the Reagan Administration.
The final display was a solemn look at events surrounding the President’s passing on June 5, 2004. His seven-day State Funeral followed. After his death, his casket was transported by hearse to the Presidential Library where more than 40,000 people stood in line to pay their respects. It was then flown aboard Air Force One to Washington, DC, for a service, public viewing and tributes at the US Capitol. After lying in sate for 34 hours in the Capitol Rotunda, a State Funeral service was conducted at the Washington National Cathedral on June 11, the day that President George W. Bush declared a national day of mourning. Later that same day, after the service, Reagan's casket was again transported by Air Force One back to California for interment on a hillside facing the setting sun at his Presidential Library. Mrs. Reagan was laid to rest next to her husband after her passing on March 6, 2016. The gravesites are a dignified tribute to one of America’s most-admired Presidents and an appropriate honor to his years of public service to the nation.
Heading back to Los Angeles, I decided to take the scenic route south via the Pacific Coast Highway. But, I neglected to realize that would entail navigating a series of seemingly never-ending, winding two-lane roads descending through the mountains with multiple hairpin turns that prevented my traveling at speeds over 20 miles per hour! Eventually, I reached the coast and enjoyed the ocean views passing through Malibu and Santa Monica before arriving back at the LAX Airport Marriott Hotel. I was surprised and pleased to note that daily housekeeping had returned to the hotel as my room had been made up during my absence.
I was booked on Delta Air Lines on the non-stop flight to Raleigh on Friday morning and enjoyed an opportunity to visit the new Sky Club in Terminal 3. At over 30,000 square feet, it’s one of the largest in the airline’s network with ample space for more than 500 guests to retreat, relax or recharge before their journey. Everything was clean and brand new and the attendants were friendly and welcoming. However, I think Delta needs to tone down the music blaring from the overhead speakers. But, in spite of the high noise level, I was able to get a good bit of work done. One other small complaint is that this lounge features what I call the “millennium fluorescent vibe” here and there. I can’t wait for this design trend to bite the dust as I don’t think anyone looks good in white light and find it actually hurts my eyes. It was somewhat of an eventful visit too as I was in the restroom when the power went out airport-wide. Thankfully, it was restored within a few minutes. The new lounge also features a wonderful outdoor deck for plane spotting up close and personal. It would have been nice to sit outside and enjoy the view, but it was overcast and a bit chilly that morning so I chose to stay indoors. I flew home on a Boeing 737-900 ER aircraft in Seat 2B on the port side of the aircraft. It was a smooth flight but I just might have to switch to a window seat going forward. Once again, all shades were down and remained that way until after we landed. I do wish passengers would understand the best views are in the sky, not looking down the aisle. We landed on time about 6:15 in the evening, bringing to a close a rewarding and memorable journey to one of America’s most interesting and enjoyable Presidential Libraries and Museums.
Just saw the comment from Betsy which is almost exactly what I was going to write - so, "Ditto"...
Sounds like a tremendous visit and your write up is very informative